CNN's Anderson Cooper spoke with Steven Nardizzi, Executive Director of Wounded Warrior Project, Tuesday evening about how the government shutdown will affect war veterans.
Compensation checks to veterans will not be issued in coming weeks if the shutdown does not end soon. Despite such disheartening news looming, there is a glimmer of hope- Nardizzi announced that Wounded Warrior Project has established a $20 million fund to provide emergency financial relief to wounded warriors and their families, should the November 1st deadline, which is quickly approaching, arrive and leave veterans without the benefits they have earned.
Nardizzi further explained: the Wound Warrior Project expects to "work with over 40,000 wounded warriors and family members from the conflicts, warriors that have severe injuries, burns, amputations, traumatic brain injury, combat stress, who rely on disability benefits and while we can't replace disability benefits, we can at least provide some means of support to pay bills, feed their family, until this government shutdown ends. We'll be cutting checks, if they don't get their check November 1, checks of $500 will go out to each family we're working with."
Anderson expressed his dismay that valiant warriors will suffer as of November 1st. Nardizzi remained optimistic, though: "Luckily the American public stayed behind the veterans. Our veterans stay behind each other- that's what we're trying to do with this financial commitment with the 20 programs that we provide them services with to empower them and we certainly think we would like to see all elected officials show that unity and fulfill that promise to our veterans- give them benefits they earned with service and sacrifice."
The Wounded Warrior Project will help almost 40,000 warriors and families and hopes to reach all 3.8 million veterans who also risk not receiving their disability checks on November 1st. The Project will continue its efforts to appeal to the federal government to provide these heroes with benefits.